Filed unemployment on Sunday - when will payment arrive from Washington ESD?
I just submitted my initial unemployment claim through the Washington ESD website this past Sunday. Everything went through and I got a confirmation number, but I'm not seeing any information about when I might actually receive my first payment. Does anyone know the typical timeline from filing to getting paid? I'm really stressed about making rent next week and need to know if I should expect anything soon or if it takes weeks.
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Ana Erdoğan
The initial claim filing is just the first step. You won't get paid right away - Washington ESD has to process your claim first, which usually takes 1-2 weeks minimum. Then you have to file your first weekly claim the following Sunday to actually request payment for that week.
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Ezra Bates
•Wait, so filing the claim doesn't automatically start payments? I have to do something else?
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Ana Erdoğan
•Exactly. The initial claim establishes your eligibility, but you need to file weekly claims every Sunday to request payment for each week you're unemployed.
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Sophia Carson
Unfortunately it's not that fast. Even after your claim is approved, you're looking at probably 2-3 weeks before you see any money. The first week is usually a waiting week too, so that week isn't even payable.
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Ezra Bates
•A waiting week? What does that mean exactly?
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Sophia Carson
•The first week you file for is typically non-payable - it's called a waiting week. So even if you're approved immediately, that first week won't generate a payment.
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Elijah Knight
If you're really struggling to get through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting disconnected.
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Ezra Bates
•Is that legit? I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point.
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Elijah Knight
•Yeah it's real. I was skeptical too but it actually connected me to a Washington ESD rep within like 30 minutes instead of the usual hours of busy signals.
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Brooklyn Foley
You also need to make sure you're doing your job search activities. Washington ESD requires you to be actively looking for work and documenting it, or they can deny your weekly claims even if your initial claim was approved.
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Ezra Bates
•How many job search activities do I need to do each week?
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Brooklyn Foley
•It's typically 3 job search activities per week, but check your specific requirements in your Washington ESD account. They spell it out pretty clearly there.
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Jay Lincoln
HONESTLY the whole system is so confusing!! I filed 3 weeks ago and still haven't gotten a single payment. They keep saying my claim is under review but won't tell me what they're reviewing or how long it will take.
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Ana Erdoğan
•That sounds like adjudication. Did they ask you for any additional documents or information?
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Jay Lincoln
•No that's the frustrating part - my account doesn't show any pending issues or document requests. It just says 'in progress' with no explanation.
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Jessica Suarez
same boat here filed last sunday too
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Ezra Bates
•Have you heard anything back yet or seen any updates in your account?
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Ana Erdoğan
Just to clarify the timeline for everyone: 1) File initial claim 2) Wait for approval (1-2 weeks typically) 3) File first weekly claim on Sunday 4) Payment processes Tuesday-Wednesday 5) Receive payment Wednesday-Friday depending on your bank. So realistically you're looking at 2-3 weeks minimum from initial filing to first payment.
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Ezra Bates
•This is super helpful, thank you! So even in the best case scenario I won't see anything for at least 2 weeks?
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Ana Erdoğan
•Correct, and that's if everything goes smoothly with no adjudication issues or missing information.
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Marcus Williams
Pro tip: set up direct deposit if you haven't already. The debit card they send takes even longer and has fees for certain transactions.
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Ezra Bates
•Good point, I'll make sure to set that up. Where do I find that option in the Washington ESD system?
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Marcus Williams
•Should be under payment preferences in your account settings. Much faster than waiting for a card to arrive in the mail.
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Sophia Carson
Also make sure you understand the difference between your weekly benefit amount and your maximum benefit amount. The weekly amount is what you get each week, the maximum is the total you can receive over the entire benefit year.
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Ezra Bates
•I saw both those numbers but wasn't sure what they meant. So the weekly amount is guaranteed each week as long as I file?
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Sophia Carson
•As long as you file your weekly claims, meet job search requirements, and remain eligible, yes. The weekly amount is based on your previous earnings.
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Lily Young
Why does Washington ESD make this so complicated? Other states have much simpler processes.
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Brooklyn Foley
•Every state has their own rules and systems. Washington actually isn't too bad compared to some others once you understand the process.
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Elijah Knight
If anyone needs to actually talk to Washington ESD about their specific situation, seriously try Claimyr. I know I mentioned it before but it really does work. The regular phone lines are basically impossible to get through on.
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Kennedy Morrison
•How much does it cost though? I'm already broke which is why I'm filing for unemployment in the first place.
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Elijah Knight
•It's worth checking out their site for the details, but honestly if you need to talk to an agent about your claim, it's probably worth it versus spending days trying to get through.
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Wesley Hallow
Make sure you're checking your Washington ESD account regularly too. Sometimes they'll ask for verification documents or additional info and if you miss it, your claim can get delayed even more.
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Ezra Bates
•How often should I be checking? Daily?
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Wesley Hallow
•I'd say every few days at least, especially in the first few weeks after filing. They're pretty good about sending emails too but don't rely on that completely.
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Justin Chang
The waiting is the worst part. I remember when I first filed I was checking my account like 10 times a day hoping to see an update.
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Ezra Bates
•That's exactly what I'm doing right now! It's driving me crazy seeing the same 'in progress' status.
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Ana Erdoğan
One more important thing - make sure you understand what 'able and available' means. You have to be physically able to work and available for work to remain eligible. If you get sick or have other issues that prevent you from working, you need to report that.
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Ezra Bates
•What happens if I have a doctor's appointment during the week? Do I need to report that?
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Ana Erdoğan
•A doctor's appointment wouldn't affect your eligibility as long as you're still able and available for work the majority of the week. But if you're unable to work due to illness, that's different.
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Grace Thomas
Just wanted to add that even after you start receiving payments, keep filing those weekly claims every single Sunday. Miss a week and you could lose benefits for that week entirely.
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Ezra Bates
•What time on Sunday do they become available to file? Is there a deadline?
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Grace Thomas
•Usually available Sunday morning and you have until Saturday night to file for that week, but don't wait. File as early as possible on Sunday.
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Hunter Brighton
I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it actually worked great. Got connected to Washington ESD in about 45 minutes and was able to get my adjudication issue resolved that same day.
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Ezra Bates
•That's encouraging! I might need to try that if I don't hear back soon about my claim status.
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Dylan Baskin
remember to keep records of everything - your confirmation numbers, any correspondence from Washington ESD, job search logs, everything. You'll need it if there are ever any issues with your claim.
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Ezra Bates
•Good reminder. I saved the confirmation email from when I filed but should probably start a folder for all unemployment-related stuff.
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Lauren Wood
The good news is once your claim is approved and you get into the routine of filing weekly claims, it becomes pretty straightforward. The initial setup and waiting period is definitely the hardest part.
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Ezra Bates
•That's reassuring to hear. Right now it feels overwhelming but I guess everyone goes through this same process.
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Lauren Wood
•Exactly, and Washington ESD processes thousands of claims every week. Yours will get processed, it just takes time unfortunately.
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Ellie Lopez
One last tip - if you end up getting a part-time job while on unemployment, make sure you report those earnings on your weekly claim. You can usually work part-time and still collect some benefits, but you HAVE to report it.
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Ezra Bates
•That's good to know. I wasn't sure if taking any work would automatically disqualify me from unemployment.
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Ellie Lopez
•Nope, Washington ESD has provisions for partial unemployment. Just be honest about any earnings and they'll calculate your benefit amount accordingly.
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Ezra Bates
Thank you everyone for all the detailed information! This has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more prepared for what to expect now, even though the waiting is still stressful. I'll keep checking my account and make sure to file my first weekly claim this coming Sunday.
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Ana Erdoğan
•You're welcome! Hang in there, the process works even though it's slow. Feel free to come back with questions when you file your first weekly claim.
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